Students and teachers partaking in the traditional Chinese medicine program of the 2017 Shanghai Summer School pose for a group photo on July 14. The program was held at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from June 18 to July 14. [Photo provided to study-shanghai.org]

The traditional Chinese medicine program of the 2017 Shanghai Summer School drew to an end on July 14.

This year's edition of the school, an annual event sponsored by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and organized by the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, attracted a total of 29 students from 14 countries, including the US, Brazil, Canada, Russia, Slovenia and Thailand.

The students regarded their four week stay in Shanghai as highly enjoyable. They learned to speak Chinese, visited a local TCM museum, and toured the neighboring city of Hangzhou, where at an ancient Chinese pharmacy they were offered a chance to experience a traditional Chinese diagnostic examination featuring questions and answers and checking of pulse rates.

They were also introduced to a variety of cultural activities, such as sampling dumplings, practicing calligraphy, creating fan paintings, making sachets, and watching Peking Opera and acrobatic shows.

Overseas students put on a tai chi show at the closing ceremony. [Photo provided to study-shanghai.org]

Aside from immersing themselves in the cultural elements, the students were eager to enhance mutual ties. They organized interesting activities, such as a salon to share different cultures, a Western style dancing ball, and a billiards competition.

They even wrote a farewell song to the university, extending their gratitude for its considerate help over the month, and expressing their expectations of seeing each other in the near future.

Yan Xiaotian, dean of the International Education College, was delighted at the students' immersion in the program. She awarded them graduation certificates and gave them souvenirs.

The Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine contributed to this story.

Overseas students write down their feelings about the program and the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. [Photo provided to study-shanghai.org]